[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6504274,"mediaKeyId","5738125-afc8d2c3496e151c7232f55f41b76139","parentId",5738125,"title","Votes at a glance: Greenville council approves consent items, animal shelter interlocal, meeting schedule, ECU lease and budget amendment","audioSeconds",1911,"startMs",1431000,"endMs",3342000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5738125-afc8d2c3496e151c7232f55f41b76139&start=1431&end=3342","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5738125-afc8d2c3496e151c7232f55f41b76139/thumbnail_1431000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6504274/Greenville/Pitt-County/North-Carolina/Votes-at-a-glance-Greenville-council-approves-consent-items-animal-shelter-interlocal-meeting-schedule-ECU-lease-and-budget-amendment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6504274-82edf2c3778d92e7e516f106881783f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179013&Signature=W6HPMGM-HUKxL1g6virOPZ-eKMrBN~0rSqYZsEOfZTkoUTqE3gKL15X~4lhZLxkXWM8jQNKciFbYDEgOU4e323om25~UE7M9qgg6jbeTXUVLUzj0pUtIRR7vpxhsa08L~oHhi0N06qrKY92hP~b2lMK7oC3CMkWwON7v4BW48JpHmYY29tdwwHFeecZCD9Tsbnmm~Vqtu-QzNKPP0Wg2Stt2HW4KsW-ZImfcq-F7ToI8qM9Fn6L32pOREh4A88719b9gbmUFxq36006lzBae5PbdSILZtBk4oRJqhqaUTcQjGoC8oqU9N0j-HeQzrVNJ6EU~F~PGl4eiS3rmSA-g3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Greenville","date","2025-09-09T16:09:36Z","article","The Greenville City Council voted on a range of consent and new-business items at its Sept. 8 meeting. Key outcomes recorded in the official meeting transcript are listed below.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (items 1'18 except items 9 and 15): approved by motion from Councilmember Robinson, second by Councilmember Blackburn. Vote: 6-0. (The consent list included multiple dedicatory resolutions, easement releases, utility and capital project items and vehicle and equipment authorizations; see manager's readout for full item list.)

- Item 9 (resolution approving an interlocal agreement with Pitt County for animal shelter services): pulled from consent for discussion; Chief Richard Tindle described the county shelter relationship and use of pens and services. Motion to approve by Councilmember Blackburn; second by Mayor Pro Tem Burton Daniels. Vote: 6-0.

- Item 15 (approval of the proposed 2026 schedule of city council meetings): motion by Councilmember Blackburn, second by Mayor Pro Tem Daniels. Vote: 6-0. Council discussed timing of workshops (before regular meetings vs. third-Monday workshops) and left the schedule as proposed.

- Item 19 (lease agreement with East Carolina University for North Recreation Complex): motion by Mayor Pro Tem Burton Daniels, second by Councilmember Robinson. Vote: 6-0. (See related article for details; council also approved related budget adjustments later in the meeting.)

- Item 20 (budget ordinance amendment number 2, FY 2026): motion by Councilmember Scully, second by Councilmember Blackburn. Vote: 6-0. The amendment recognized encumbrance carryforwards, established capital funding for sidewalk/ADA work, recognized donations, and established a sports complex project budget of $14,000,000 across project management and occupancy-tax funds.

Other formal actions

- Several appointments to boards and commissions were previewed for the council's upcoming agenda and were not voted on at this meeting. The council also approved a minor agenda change to add a staffing-model presentation for fire/rescue and to remove a condemnation item.

Procedural notes

- Where votes were recorded as \"Motion passes 6 0\" the transcript does not list individual recorded roll-call votes beyond the motion maker and seconder; the transcript records the final tally as 6-0.

Full consent items (as read aloud by the city manager)

The manager read consent items 1 through 18, which included lease agreements tied to hazard-mitigation properties; dedications and releases of easements for subdivisions (Augusta Trails, Brook Hollow, Green Subdivision); amendments to Greenville Utility Commission capital budget for HVAC upgrades; a property exchange with Evan Street Properties LLC; adoption of the Neuse River Basin Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan; interlocal agreements with Pitt County for a bridal shelter (sic)/homeless shelter service and for compactor collection from apartment complexes; FEMA hazard mitigation grant application authority; police asset forfeiture purchases; a request to purchase an additional trolley for the Public Works fleet; designation of the city engineer as authorized representative for environmental permit applications; approval of the 2026 meeting schedule; and budget adjustments including vehicle replacements and sanitation purchases.

How votes were recorded

- Most motions were moved and seconded from the dais and recorded with the maker, seconder and a 6-0 final tally. Where discussion occurred (for the animal shelter interlocal and the ECU lease), the manager or relevant department head provided staff context before the motion and vote.

If readers need a copy of the full ordinances, resolutions or consent-item language, they are available in the city clerk's agenda packet for the Sept. 8 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council September 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Greenville City Council approved its consent agenda (with two items pulled for separate votes), an interlocal animal-shelter agreement, the 2026 meeting schedule, a long-term lease with East Carolina University and a budget amendment tied to a sports complex project.","taxTitle","Greenville, Pitt County, North Carolina","taxId",24303,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":46,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6504284,"Greenville council approves lease with East Carolina University for North Recreation Complex, aims to expand sports tourism",1165,2177000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5738125-afc8d2c3496e151c7232f55f41b76139&start=2177&end=3342","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5738125-afc8d2c3496e151c7232f55f41b76139/thumbnail_2177000.jpg","/articles/6504284/Greenville/Pitt-County/North-Carolina/Greenville-council-approves-lease-with-East-Carolina-University-for-North-Recreation-Complex-aims-to-expand-sports-tourism","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6504284-7c128727c73d804804a0928ac2467d1a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179013&Signature=WW~ssEs9tRj9NcPPW-YxDsHVpFQZAhPbVkWhg-IHGLBqg-03GV-WaR6CLnomA3d0NdIdF-M3aTd6c9pSFzcxvJIGFJxJMPk9UIqbwgdzVkQrNRbgojyhBHQlrWJMzOnpLhqkrTa6xBLAFmoUvgyZSt4kG5ivHCTWQk8OBIg60fNdOJ1nI5HQBnJn9b7CpWbWNHnQA-8LdvZQj4tcm0Ym7CruF3mPaFMqkAOcJ1vz8kjFArU0j0cYOUZa2-04lkN1SyrvLj-y66n2MVrahmH8Iu8I4QZ4lqyWrBtWN-NE7UERP2jHGQmjVh7WI1kgaF9YMxhL548x281RDEiM4T0HXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Greenville City Council voted unanimously Sept. 8 to approve a lease agreement with East Carolina University (ECU) for the North Recreation Complex on Highway 264 that staff said will support a multi-field sports complex intended to expand tourism and recreation opportunities.

City staff and local tourism officials told the council the complex would allow Greenville to host larger regional tournaments and generate visitor spending. Don Octagon, the city's executive director of recreation and parks and capital projects, described the lease structure, timing and what the city would gain from the facilities.

The council's vote followed presentations from Octagon and Andrew Schmidt, president and CEO of Visit Greenville, and a brief question-and-answer period. Octagon said the agreement gives the city access to the site after a transition period that runs to Dec. 31, 2026, and that the lease has a primary term of 50 years with a single renewal option that could extend total tenure to no more than 99 years. Octagon also told the council the city would have exclusive use for tournaments and would be responsible for operations and maintenance after the transition.

Why it matters: presenters said the complex would increase the city's ability to attract sports tournaments that generate hotel stays, restaurant and retail spending, and other hospitality-sector revenue. Victus Advisors' feasibility work and the city's sports task force were cited as the evidence base for expected economic benefits.

Key details and financing: Octagon said the agreement requires an initial cash outlay of $3,000,000. He and other presenters described additional lease and project-related funding that staff said together bring the city's total cash outlay and lease commitments to a projected $13,000,000 over the lease term; the city's budget amendment adopted the same night establishes a $14,000,000 sports complex project budget in capital project management and occupancy tax funds. Octagon and city staff said the initial outlay will be paid from the city's general capital reserve and occupancy-tax-related capital funds and that ongoing lease payments and operating costs are expected to be funded from tournament revenues, field rentals and other services.

Economic impact claims: speakers attributed a Victus Advisors study showing increased overnight stays and local spending to an expanded complex. During the presentation, council heard the study's conservative estimate of roughly 75,000 additional overnight hotel room nights annually and an annual local spending impact in the neighborhood of $40 million to $42 million; Visit Greenville's Schmidt said additional field capacity would let Greenville host tournaments it has previously turned away.

Facilities and expansion plans: the North Recreation Complex is an existing 128-acre site with eight lighted natural-grass rectangle fields, a maintenance facility, a field house with restrooms, a disc-golf course, sand volleyball court, a six-acre lake and parking. City staff said the plan is to add four additional rectangle fields (bringing the site to 12 fields) to support larger tournaments; staff and the sports commission indicated a design/engineering phase would begin immediately once required approvals are in place.

Council questions and schedule: Councilmember Blackburn asked about annual lease figures; presenters referenced per-year payments and a multi-decade payment stream but the transcript record contains inconsistent per-year figures. City staff emphasized the $3 million initial payment and the $13 million total (initial outlay plus lease payments) as the clearest summary in the record. The council was told the UNC Board of Governors is scheduled to consider the lease on Sept. 17; staff said the proposed effective date is Oct. 1 and that city staff would return to council in January 2026 with a transition and operating plan update.

Council action: Mayor Pro Tem Burton Daniels moved the motion to approve the lease; Councilmember Robinson seconded. The motion passed 6-0.

What happens next: if the Board of Governors approves the lease, city staff said design and engineering for the four additional fields will proceed and the city will begin transition planning to take over operations after Dec. 31, 2026. Staff also told council the occupancy-tax (hotel-tax) fund and the Visitors Authority are slated as funding partners for capital work tied to the complex.

Closing detail: in public remarks during the presentation, Visit Greenville's Schmidt said flag football, lacrosse and other rectangle-field sports are growing tournament markets and that additional field capacity would help Greenville retain and expand events that bring out-of-town visitors and associated economic activity.","Greenville City Council voted Sept. 8 to approve a lease with East Carolina University for the North Recreation Complex that staff said will allow expansion into a 12-field rectangle sports complex aimed at boosting tournaments and related tourism spending.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6504279,"Residents and Sierra Club urge council to adopt stronger tree protections in Unified Development Code",728,405000,1133000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5738125-afc8d2c3496e151c7232f55f41b76139&start=405&end=1133","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5738125-afc8d2c3496e151c7232f55f41b76139/thumbnail_405000.jpg","/articles/6504279/Greenville/Pitt-County/North-Carolina/Residents-and-Sierra-Club-urge-council-to-adopt-stronger-tree-protections-in-Unified-Development-Code","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6504279-23928acacd9f11f0f40c2aecfe688464/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179013&Signature=lkmEkMWp1JekijSWQEsVrCsGtUJ-9iq9B64lAKY4yUl~mABQjEypfafh5G73su~11eUIs1Va~wlF-QlAOOi9p-R8lyIofYgf9XFfgA0-F60pD74BJbi56gUaLZuk07N6AY3Qfl9ZNxqaMG5gSdBr0BSKnapeocmTFmFIyCqnt5-gUqirlW-kVE90NcFNd-24zf3-YowQksgY4an0N2bAn6-k2xhTi0kwDCiAzHyAaC9alclYFf~EBBogJm2QiOUXi87GNVAjn7ejOiKQ4wHkZHnfu5qszZabqwtWIFGRf1i31KEOBPqsuxyHbDv2h4Q6whf77RAoCvkjC6ti4rk19w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several Greenville residents and environmental advocates used the public comment period at the Sept. 8 City Council meeting to press the council to adopt stronger tree protections in the city's forthcoming Unified Development Code (UDO).

Speakers included Marion Swinker, a retired physician and Sierra Club member; Lisa Mag, a member of the Sierra Club; Amanda Muir, a board member of Friends of Greenville Greenways; and Jeff Monaco, chair of the Cypress Group of the North Carolina Sierra Club. Each urged the council to support the portions of the draft UDO that address trees and vegetation, and several cited peer-reviewed studies and municipal analyses on trees'environmental, economic and health benefits.

Why it matters: speakers said preserving and incentivizing retention of mature overstory trees improves neighborhood cooling, reduces utility costs, intercepts stormwater runoff, increases property values and contributes to mental and physical health. They urged the council to review Section 5 of the draft UDO closely; several speakers said that section addresses tree retention, replacement requirements and incentives for developers.

What speakers told the council: Marion Swinker summarized research showing links between tree canopy and property values, energy savings and neighborhood benefits, saying one study she cited found that property values fell in proportion to trees lost after an insect infestation in Toronto. She also cited studies showing energy savings from shade and windbreak effects.

Lisa Mag described public-health and social benefits linked to tree canopy, referencing studies from Portland, Oregon; California; London; Wisconsin and Baltimore that the speaker said showed associations between higher tree cover and lower mortality, improved mental health outcomes and reduced violent crime in some analyses.

Amanda Muir urged the council to mandate tree replacements, consider hiring an urban-forestry professional and include developer incentives in the UDO. Jeff Monaco emphasized the value of overstory trees (large native oaks, maples and sycamores) over smaller ornamental species when the goal is cooling, stormwater mitigation and wildlife habitat.

Council response and next steps: the mayor asked the speakers to email the references and data cited; council members thanked speakers and recognized Section 5 of the draft UDO as an item the council will consider when the UDO returns to the agenda. The speakers'requests were public comment; no council action was taken that evening on the UDO.

Closing note: multiple speakers asked the council to prioritize tree retention and the planting of overstory species in new developments to secure long-term environmental, economic and health benefits for Greenville neighborhoods.","Several residents and local environmental groups urged the Greenville City Council during the public-comment period to adopt the draft Unified Development Code (UDO) provisions that protect trees and prioritize overstory canopy, citing environmental, health and economic research.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Greenville council approves consent items, animal shelter interlocal, meeting schedule, ECU lease and budget amendment

Greenville council approves lease with East Carolina University for North Recreation Complex, aims to expand sports tourism

Residents and Sierra Club urge council to adopt stronger tree protections in Unified Development Code